In The News

States address ticket camera rules

Use of ticket cameras to issue citations for bad driving decisions is a perennial topic at statehouses around the country. As state lawmakers address funding crunches for various budgets, the issue continues to draw much discussion – both for and against the enforcement tool.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 21 states have laws permitting at least one type of automated enforcement. Conversely, 10 states have acted to prohibit use of the enforcement tool.

Included below are notable efforts at statehouses to address ticket cameras:

Arizona: SB1352 would prohibit the use of photo enforcement to identify violators of red-light cameras and speed cameras.

SCR1029 is a resolution to put a photo radar ban to a public vote.

California: AB1008 would prohibit the installation of red-light cameras in communities throughout the state starting next year. Cities with cameras already posted would be required to do studies to justify their use.

AB1041 would protect the use of ticket cameras in San Francisco. The city and county program is scheduled to sunset at the end of the year. The bill would make use of the cameras permanent.

SB29 would set up standards for camera placement and for the tickets based on them.

Florida: S672 would repeal existing state law that allows use of cameras to enforce red-light violations. HB4087 is a similar version.

Georgia: SB142 would prohibit use of red-light cameras.

Illinois: SB26 would make it illegal for red-light cameras to be used to issue tickets from turning right during a red light.

Iowa: HSB93 would set up uniform rules for the use of red-light cameras and speed cameras. Fines for red-light violations would be limited to $50. A sliding scale would be imposed for speeders caught on camera.

Maryland: SB30/HB904 would limit use of speed cameras in highway construction zones for when workers are on the job.

Missouri: HB489 is one of multiple bills to establish a minimum standard for yellow times. HB104 is among several other bills that would prohibit cities from installing red-light cameras or divert the fines generated to schools.

New York: S875 would allow New York City to set up a local law or ordinance to create a pilot truck weight photo-monitoring system. As many as 50 intersections could be outfitted with devices to snap pictures of trucks.

North Carolina: HB145 would authorize use of speed cameras in work zones and school zones around the state. Revenue from fines of as much as $250 would be applied to schools.

A separate bill, S187, would outlaw red-light cameras.

South Carolina: S336 addresses a perceived loophole in state law. A bill would expressly outlaw speeding tickets based on photos. Police would also be required to directly hand tickets to drivers within an hour of a violation.

Tennessee: Among nearly two dozen bills on the issue, HB1500/SB1684 would standardize photo enforcement camera systems statewide. Traffic studies would need to show the system is necessary. Cities would also be prohibited from issuing tickets to drivers who fail to come to a complete stop when making a right turn on red. In addition, cities would be blocked from issuing photo tickets for making a right turn at a red unless a sign is posted prohibiting right turns on red.

HB802/SB1117 would prohibit cities from mailing camera violations to offenders. Instead, someone must physically serve the citation.

Washington: In an effort to keep cities from shortening “yellow times,” HB1279/SB5188 would require yellow-light times to match federal standards.

OOIDA leadership says the focus on ticket cameras ignores the more logical and reasoned approach to roads and traffic.

“The goal should be to keep traffic moving in as safe a manner as possible,” said OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer.

Communities should be pursuing “intelligent traffic lights that actually monitor traffic and are triggered by traffic flow,” he said.

Editor’s Note: Please share your thoughts with us about the legislation included in this story. Comments may be sent to [email protected] .

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